WHY IT RATES: Recognition of one’s work is always important, especially in the ultra-competitive travel industry. – Rich Thomaselli, TravelPulse Senior Editor

PHOTO: Scuba diving is one of the best things to do at Sandals Resorts (Courtesy Sandals)

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts is excited to announce it has recently been honored with two distinctive awards.

Sandals has received the 2016 PADI Award of Recognition for achieving more than 70,000 PADI certifications, as well as the Luxury-Included® resort company’s contribution to diving education throughout the Caribbean.

PADI is the world’s leading scuba diver training organization and Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts offer guests unlimited diving, all included. The PADI System of diver education is based on progressive training that introduces skills, safety-related information and local environmental knowledge to student divers in stages.

READ MORE: Sandals Foundation Spreads The Love

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts is one of the Top 5 Diving Operations in North and South America based on PADI certifications, and one of the Top 10 Diving Operations worldwide. Additionally, all resorts are PADI Five Star Dive Resorts, which are resorts committed to providing quality diver training and continuing education programs that include dive experiences and environmental awareness.  All Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts have also all received the PADI Green Star Award, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to environmental preservation.

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts’ diving program includes dives with a range of depth between 30 and 130 feet, with top-of-the-line equipment and guided tours provided. Through its comprehensive AquaCenter, diving is included for divers certified by an industry recognized agency; non-certified divers wanting to experience diving for the first time can take the PADI Discover Scuba Diving course for a nominal fee in a special scuba certification pool and dive the same day.

READ MORE: Sandals Offers Caribbean’s First Over-The-Water Suites

Sandals Resorts is also excited to announce its recent honor in Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 2016 Editor-in-Chief Awards. The Luxury-Included® Resort Company was named Best All-Inclusive Resorts by Editor-in-Chief, Bill Panoff.

Each year, Panoff picks his top favorites from the cruise and travel industry. With so many remarkable options that await cruisers, these awards give kudos to those who go above and beyond in terms of service, quality, and memorable moments.

For more information on these award-winning resorts, please visit www.sandals.com.

Additional information about Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts’ SCUBA program can be found at www.sandals.com/scuba or www.beaches.com/scuba

SOURCE: Sandals press releases